Justin Trudeau emerges prime minister of Canada

Justin Trudeau, the son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, will be Canada’s next leader, after a dramatic federal election that ended the divisive reign of the Conservative prime minister, Stephen Harper.

The Liberal party won a surprise majority, taking 184 of the 338 seats in parliament with representatives in every province and roughly 40% of the popular vote.

After rousing his party from third in the polls to first place on voting day, Trudeau promised “sunny ways” for all Canadians.

Trudeau’s victory speech omitted any mention of his flamboyant father Pierre who led Canada from 1968 to 1984 with one brief interruption. “In Canada better is always possible,” a hoarse but jubilant Trudeau told cheering supporters at Liberal headquarters in Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth hotel. Read more